Recirculating Skimmer Feed ?

[ceige]

So i have a recirc skimmer and I am feeding it with a MJ1200. I think this might be to much flow for it as I dont get dark dry skim, I rather get wet and tea color. If I slow the flow in the skimmer will I get a better skim due to longer contact time? I have tried to adjust the valve but I get no better skim.

Is there a rule of thumb for figuring a feed pump for a skimmer?

 

[Chuck Spyropulos]

Feed

Hi CJ! I would use trial and error. Just put a valve on the feed and adjust until you get optimum performance. Keep me posted in how it goes since I may consider doing this mod on my ASM in the future.

So i have a recirc skimmer and I am feeding it with a MJ1200. I think this might be to much flow for it as I dont get dark dry skim, I rather get wet and tea color. If I slow the flow in the skimmer will I get a better skim due to longer contact time? I have tried to adjust the valve but I get no better skim.

Is there a rule of thumb for figuring a feed pump for a skimmer?

 

[Ray]

Lower the level in your skimmer neck/body if you want a dark dry skim.
I think the feed rate is 1.5x tank volume, so if you have 50 gallons total water volume you should use a 75 GPH pump.

 

[Arthur1]

Most people go for 1.5x the tank volume per hour and of course you can go more if you'd like it would just mean last contact time.

 

[ceige]

OK wow I need to cut way down...I have this skimmer on a 29 with a 20 sump so maybe 36 gal total volume.....

Hey Chuck! that sounds like a good idea with the valve on the feed....that may only way I will be able to get it down low enough....